A 15-year-old pupil of the Olabisi Onabanjo University International School, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State and the overall winner in a global arts competition, Mariam Kaka, has given a scholarship and bursary awards of N225,000 to her teacher and fellow pupils.

Mariam is the daughter of a former deputy governor of the state, Senator Gbenga Kaka, who served under Chief Olusegun Osoba between 1999 and 2003.

The donor defeated over 4,000 other participants in the international art competition titled: ‘Fight for Freedom’, organised by a charity group, Never Such Innocence, with her entry: ‘Nostalgic Salutation to Fallen Heroes’.

Following her emergence as the winner in the competition held on February 29, 2020, Mariam went home with cash and other gifts from appreciative Nigerians, most of whom are alumni of the Molusi Secondary School, Ijebu-Igbo.

In her bid to give back to the society, she gave a scholarship of N100,000 to Miss Esther Olubanjo, an SS3 science student, and N25,000 donation to her Creative Art teacher, Mr Salisu Olatunde.

She also gave N5,000 bursary award each to 20 pupils of the school and pledged N10,000 to the best pupil in Creative Art at the Molusi Secondary School annually.

Speaking at the presentation at Ijebu-Igbo, Mariam said, “I want to encourage my fellow students to participate in competitions that will give them the platform to showcase their God-given talents.

“There’s no limit to where we can get to, but we must make efforts to make our talents known to the world so that we can be celebrated.

“I must sincerely appreciate the effort of my parents for helping to bring out the best in me and for encouraging me to do better. I also appreciate my Creative Art teacher, who helped in sharpening my skill; I want to say a very big thank you.”

Senator Kaka said he encouraged his daughter to extend the donation beyond her school.

 By Daud Olatunji